TY - JOUR
T1 - Higher education in Gerodontology in European Universities
AU - Kossioni, Anasstasia
AU - McKenna, Gerald
AU - Muller, Frauke
AU - Schimmel, Martin
AU - Vanobbergen, Jacques
PY - 2017/3/28
Y1 - 2017/3/28
N2 - Background: The rapid aging of the European population and the subsequent increase in the oral care needs in
older adults necessitates adequate training of dental professionals in Gerodontology (Geriatric Dentistry). This study
was designed to investigate the current status of Gerodontology teaching amongst European dental schools at the
undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education levels.
Methods: An electronic questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts and emailed to the Deans or other
contact persons of 216 dental schools across 39 European countries. The questionnaire recorded activity levels,
contents and methodology of Gerodontology teaching as part of dental education programs. Repeated e-mail
reminders and telephone calls were used to encourage non-responders to complete the questionnaire.
Results: A total of 123 responses from 29 countries were received (response rate: 56.9%). Gerodontology was
taught in 86.2% of schools at the undergraduate level, in 30.9% at the postgraduate level and in 30.1% at the
continuing education level. A total of 43.9% of the responding schools had a dedicated Gerodontology program
director. Gerodontology was taught as an independent subject in 37.4% of the respondent schools. Medical
problems in old age, salivary impairment and prosthodontic management were the most commonly covered
topics in Gerodontology teaching. Clinical teaching took place in 64.2% of the respondent schools, with 26.8%
offering clinical training in outreach facilities.
Conclusions: The vast majority of European dental schools currently teach Gerodontology at the undergraduate
level. More training opportunities in oral care of frail elders should be offered, and more emphasis should be placed
on interdisciplinary and interprofessional training, educational collaborations, and the use of modern technologies.
Dedicated postgraduate Gerodontology courses need to be developed to create a significant number of specialized
dentists and trained academics.
AB - Background: The rapid aging of the European population and the subsequent increase in the oral care needs in
older adults necessitates adequate training of dental professionals in Gerodontology (Geriatric Dentistry). This study
was designed to investigate the current status of Gerodontology teaching amongst European dental schools at the
undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education levels.
Methods: An electronic questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts and emailed to the Deans or other
contact persons of 216 dental schools across 39 European countries. The questionnaire recorded activity levels,
contents and methodology of Gerodontology teaching as part of dental education programs. Repeated e-mail
reminders and telephone calls were used to encourage non-responders to complete the questionnaire.
Results: A total of 123 responses from 29 countries were received (response rate: 56.9%). Gerodontology was
taught in 86.2% of schools at the undergraduate level, in 30.9% at the postgraduate level and in 30.1% at the
continuing education level. A total of 43.9% of the responding schools had a dedicated Gerodontology program
director. Gerodontology was taught as an independent subject in 37.4% of the respondent schools. Medical
problems in old age, salivary impairment and prosthodontic management were the most commonly covered
topics in Gerodontology teaching. Clinical teaching took place in 64.2% of the respondent schools, with 26.8%
offering clinical training in outreach facilities.
Conclusions: The vast majority of European dental schools currently teach Gerodontology at the undergraduate
level. More training opportunities in oral care of frail elders should be offered, and more emphasis should be placed
on interdisciplinary and interprofessional training, educational collaborations, and the use of modern technologies.
Dedicated postgraduate Gerodontology courses need to be developed to create a significant number of specialized
dentists and trained academics.
M3 - Article
SN - 1472-6831
VL - 17
JO - BMC Oral Health
JF - BMC Oral Health
M1 - 71
ER -